July 27, 2005  Greetings to all.  For this week Debbie and I have been at St. Deiniol's Library, Hawarden, Wales.  The course we are taking on Celtic Spirituality is multi-disciplinary, in that we have heard from a medieval linguist on the celtic language, a theological expert on the celtic way of belief, a medieval archeologist on the archeological record of the celtic peoples, and we will also hear from two others regarding their disciplines on Celtic worship and the arts. 

In addition to the lectures, we have had field trips on Monday and today (Wednesday) and will have another one on Friday, traveling to historic churches, religious sites, and historic towns related to Celtic life, faith and practices. 

An amazing difference Wales has from the rest of Great Britain, in my limited observation and travels is that it is much more rugged, less developed,and more rural than other places we have travelled.  In some instances we have been told that this is the real Welsh way of life and living and that it more nearly duplicates how people lived long ago.  One church we were in just got electricity about 50 years ago.   Several churches we have visited do not have electricity.  One from the medieval era, which we visited today, has not had services since the 1860's, and the result is that it is more preserved in style, than many which have undergone remodeling and reconstruction. 

The impressive thing is that among all the churches we have visited, they represent a magnitude of prayers, faith, life and hope, over the centuries of people seeking and living in the grace and mercy of God. 

I am astounded that the history of the churches here, is so much longer than what we can claim in the United States.  This history and heritage continues onward in the simple, trusting and faith oriented lives of the people. 

Best wishes to all, as you live as God's faithful people in your daily lives, trusting, serving, celebrating and worshipping our Lord and God.  Dan and Deb.